(1) At beginning of period - 26 O, 2
WO, 540 EM(2) At end of period - 27 O, 2 WO, 543
EM

d. Stations of unit or parts thereof

(1) On 4 February the firing batteries and Hq
and Hq Btry moved from positions in vicinity of Kalterherberg, Germany,
to new positions in vicinity of Konsen, Germany.

(2) Service Battery and Personnel Section comprising the
rear echelon remained in positions in the outskirts of Eupen, Belgium,
during the entire month of February.

e. Operations

FEBRUARY1.

The firing batteries and Hq and Hq Btry were in positions in the vicinity
of Kalterherberg, Germany and Service Battery and the Persomnel Section
were still in Eupen, Balgium. Captain GEORGE L. WILSON, Bn Asst S-3 and
Air Observer, and 1st Lt DALE R. BRENEMAN, JR., received orders to proceed
to Army OP Rest and Recreation Center at the Hotel D'Angleterre, Liege,
Belgium, where they were to spend three days. Sgt. Lewis R. Hanna
and Pfc Robert J. Hammond were promoted to the rank of S/Sgt and
Corporal respectively. The Bn Ammunition Train drew 540 rounds of aumunition
from the ASP.

2.

1st Lts. CLARENCE T. ENBODY and GEORGE J. OBLANDER went from duty to sick
in hospital as non-battle casualties this date. Colonel JIM DAN HILL and
Captain VINCENT de P. HAGEN, CO and S-2, 190th FA Op, were visitors at
the Bn CP on their way to make reconnaissance for new positions areas for
Group Headquarters. Privates Charles C. Russell, William H. Corbitt,
Otis
L. Dowdy, John W. Gerhard, Frank A. Mayer, Btry A, were
promoted to grade of Private First Class. Battalion drew 500 rounds
of ammunition from ASP.

At 0900 hours Lt. Col. MORAWETZ and party left Bn Cp for reconnaissance
of new positions and at 1220 hours the battalion was given march order.
The firing batteries and Hq and Hq Btry closed in their new positions near
Konsen, Germany, at 1730 hours. On this march the battalion passed through
the town into which it had fired many missions and the destruction and
devastation in evidence here was gratifying to everyone and prof of the
accuracy and effectiveness of our fire. The battalion received allocation
for 2 officers and 15 enlisted men to proceed to V Corps Recreation Center
in Eupen, Belgium, on 46 hour passes. Pfc Ross Richardson, former
member of the Medical Detachment, was reassigned to that organization from
the 3d Replacement Depot.

5.

Considerable interdiction was fired by all batteries during the early morning
hours of this date. These new positions were found to have been heavily
mined by the enemy. Many of the mines bad been laid while the snow still
blanketed the fields and it was our good fortune to occupy the area after
the thaws had exposed them. However, many of the fields had been mined
beneath the surface and extreme caution was exerciesed by all personnel.
Captain NATHAN LANDES, Bn Com O and Co of Hq Btry, returned to duty from
DS at the Information and Education Staff School in Paris. Cpl. Edward
L. Pratt, Jr., absent sick in hospital from Btry A, was dropped from
assignment. Cpl. Rossie R. Hall, Btry C, was evacuated to hospital
after sustaining injuries to his hand when the trail of a gun fell on it.

6.

Captain LANDES, Bn Com O, was placed on DS with V Corps to act as Liaison
Officer between the V and VIII Corps, Tec 5 James M. Berry and Pfc
Dewitt
P. Stricklin, Hq Btry, accompanied him as Radio Operator and driver
respectively. During this period the battalion ammunition train was force
to operate during the hours of darkness because of the heavy daytime traffic
on the supply routes. On this particular date 1300 rounds were drawn for
the battalion.

7.

Several men from Battery C, while seeking materials to construct living
quarters in their area, unknowly entered a field which had been heavily
mined by the enemy. They inadvertently set off anti-personel mines which
resulted in the death of Pfc. Lewis F. Jarrell and the wounding
of Pfc Mallon S. Henry and Pvt Charles E. Ogburn. Cpl. Clarence
G Beers, Chief of the Section to which these men were assigned, entered
the mine field in an attempt to aid Pfc Jarrell, who was not then
known to be dead. After discovering the body, Cpl. Beers unfortunately
detonated another mine which wounded him so severely that he had to be
evacuated to the hospital inmediately. Cpl. John A. Reilly, battalion
aid man, and Pfc Thomas J. Ryan, Btry C, heroically volunteered
to evacuate Cpl Beers from the field and in so doing undoubtedly
saved his life. Cpl. Beers was dropped from assignment to
the battalion.

8.

The 190th FA Gp established a switching central in Hq Btry and 3 men were
attached to that orgainization. Captain WILSON, air observer, and Lt REX
N. FENNER, Liaison Pilot, located a heavy caliber enemy gun which was firing
into the town of Schmidt from t.he vicinity of Thuir. They adjusted fire
upon this gun with very effective results. Major PERHAM, Bn Ex Officer,
made a routine inspection of all battery positions and found both tactical
and living conditions very satisfactory.

9.

1st Lt. OBLANDER returned to duty from hospital. CWO LEONARD A MASSOTH,
Bn Personnel Adjutant, was appointed battalion Public Relations Officer
in addition to his other duties. Pvts. Marvin E. Green and James
H. Jones, Jr., were promoted to grade of corporal. Intermittent
flurries of snow and light showers held observation to a minimum and firing
was minimized accordingly during this period.

1st Lt. REX N. FENNER, Liaison Pilot, and 1st Lt. CLARENCE T. ENBODY, Air
Observer, left for Air OP Rest and Recreation Center, Liege, Belgium, for
three days leave. Major THRIFT, of the IG Staff, V Corps, made an inspection
tour of the battalion. Col PATTERSON, AG for V Corps, Col, MC CASLIN, JAG
of V Corps, Col. MC CLELLAN, IG ofV Corps and Col JIM DAN HILL, CO of 190th FA Gp visited
battalion fire direction center and observed operations during a fire mission.
This group later visited a firing battery and witneesed the firing of the
guns, several of them pulling the lanyard in the course of the firing.
Chaplain MC SWEEN held Catholic services for the battalion in the Hq Btry
area.

12.

Pursuant to Memorandum from 190th FA Group Hq the battalion's firing was
reduced for an unspecified time. Maintenance and Special Services activities
were to be stressed meanwhile. Only one firing battery was to be alerted
during each 24 hour period but security measures remained in force throughout
the battalion. Long ranges to enemy targets and lack of favorable forward
positions were largely responsible for this reduction of fire. Pfc Mallon
S. Henry and Pvt Charles B. Ogburn, Btry C, were awarded the
Purple Heart, per GO #2, Hq 997th FA Bn, dated 12 Feb 1945, for wounds
received in action on 7 Feb 1945. Privates First Class Daniel J. O'Donnell
and Herbert C. Blackstock, Btry A, were promoted to the grades of
Corporal and Tec 5 respectively.

13.

Captain JEPTHA S. DAVIS, JR., Tec 4 Roland M. Chenoweth and Tec
5 Maxwell L. Barnes returned from Paris upon completion of the Captain's
TD at the I & E Staff School. Lt. Col. MORAWETZ held a battery commanders'
meeting at the battalion CP to discuss operations during this period of
reduced firing. Valor Air OP adjusted Baker battery on a group of buildings
in Mariawald. This was a destruction mission and the target was destroyed.
The movie "And Now Tomorrow" with Loretta Young and Alan Ladd was shown
to battalion personnel at the battalion CP.

14.

In compliance with a pervious allocation, T/Sgt James M. Gibbs,
Bn Personnel NCO, Cpl Richard J. Astor. Btry B, and Cp. John
Puksen, Btry C, left for a 7 day furlough in England. Captain DAVIS,
Bn Motor Officer, visited battalion headquarters to make arrangements for
vehicles to be returned to the rear echelon for 6000 tile maintenance checks
and to set up a schedule for daily maintenane checks of vehicles in the
several batteries by battery officers. Cpl. Rossie H. Hall, Btry
C, returned to duty from hospital. Captain LANDES, Tec 5 James M. Berry
and Pfc Dewitt P. Stricklin returned to duty from DS with V Corps.

15.

Captain CHARLES D. VUNCK was reld from asgmt as CO Btry A and asgd to duty
as Bn Com O and CO of Hq Btry and Captain NATHAN LANDES was reld
from asgmt as Bn Com O and CO Hq Btry and asgm to duty as CO of Btry A.
Major EVERETT A. ROHMIG and 1st Lt. ROBERT M. TAUTGES and 16 enlisted men
left on 46 hour passes to Eupen, Belgium. At a formal ceremony at the Bn
CP Lt Col MORAWETZ presented the Bronse Star Medal to T/Sgt John Skendle,
Hq Btry for meritorious service rendered as battalion comununications chief.
The picture "Janie" starring Joyce Reynolds and Edward Arnold was shown
at the Battalion CP. Cpl Flavious C. Otta, Tec 5 Kenneth G. Miller
and Reid M Foster were reassigned and to the battalion from the
3rd Replacement Depot. Cpl Otta went to Btry C and Tec 5 Miller
and Pfc Foster went to Btry A.

16.

Captain KENNETH V. COON, CO Btry B, was placed on DS with V Corps to serve
in liaison capacity between the V and VIII Corps. He departed with
driver Tec 5 Nalter C. Vasser. Sr., on this date. Captains LANDES
and SEIBERT, from batteries A and C respectively, visited Major PERHAM
at the CP on matters pertaining to administration. Captain MILLER
was a visitor at the Bn CP on matters of supply.

17.

Lt Col FRANCIS E. MAROWETZ, Bn CO, was awarded the Purple Heart, per GO
#3, Hq 997th PA Bn, dtd 17 Feb 1945 for injuries received in action against
the enemy in Germany of 3 Feb 1945. Privates First Class Edward Elliott,
Btry A, and Kenneth R. North, Btry B, received the Purple Heart
under the same authority for injuries received in action against the enemy
in Germany on 28 January 1945. Tec 5 Harry O. Whitman, formerly
with Btry B, was reassigned to that organization from 3rd Replacement Depot.

18.

The movie "See Here Private Hargrove" was shown at the battalion CP for
personnel of the unit. Pfc Aram J Nahigian, Pvt Sanford
R. Woodie and Pfc Philip E. Jones were assigned to the battalion
from 196th FA Bn and further assigned to C, B and A batteries respectively.
On this date the body of Pvt Clarence J. Davis, Btry C, who had
been reported missing in action since 7 February, was located by a 78th
Division graves registration party. Pvt Davis was the victim of
enemy anti-personnel mines.

19.

Cpl Arthur L. West and Pfc Thomas E. Voyles, Btry C, were
promoted to grades of Sergeant and Corp respectively. Pfc Joe T. Blair,
formally a member of Service Battery, was reassigned to organizaticn from
the 3rd Replacement Depot. It was learned from Ptc Blair that
he had received the Purple Heart Award while in the hospital. Captain VUNCK,
1st Lt. WILLIAM G. PEACH and 17 enlisted men left on 72 hour passes to
the nearby city of Verviers, Belgium. This was in the VII Corp sector and
it was only through the courtesy of the VII corps Recreation Center that
an allotment of passes was given to our unit to this city. The three EMs
attached to Hq Btry to operate the switching central were dropped from
attachment and returned to 190th FA Gp.

20.

Lt TAUTGES went to Vex Hq to pick up a group of officers and enlisted men
from the 386th Bomb Squadron Group who were making a tour of ground force
units in connection with an air-ground liaison program to better the understanding
between the two forces. The group had lunch with Hq Btry and were enlightened
on fire direction technique at the battalion CP and then proceeded to one
of the firing batteries where they were shown the service of the piece
by one of the gun sections. Several of the officers pulled the lanyard
during the firing.

21.

1st Lt. WILLIAM G. ROLF, 1st Lt. FRANK R. CRADAT, JR., and 7 EM from the
battalion went to Eupen, Belgium, on 48 hour passes. As part of the Army's
plan to rotate combat troops to the states for 30 day periods, Tec 4 Harry
R. Callahan, Sv Btry, with 30 months overseas service to his credit, left
for his home in Lockhaven, Pennsylvania, for 30 days of rest and recuperation.

22.

Special Services section of 190th PA Gp showed the Mickey Rooney picture
"Blonde Trouble" to battalion personnel at the battalion Cp. Major PARHAM
left for V Corps Artillery Hq to confer with 1st Lt. JAMES LAWRENCE, Adjutant,
on matters concerning awards amd decorations. The weather cleared sufficiently
for Captain WILSON and Lt. DALE R. BRENEMAN, JR., to direct several registrations
from an Air OP.

23.

Continued good flying weather brought about additional flights by the air
section. During the day each of our air observers made 2 flights firing
a mission on each flight. Excellent effects were reported. V Corps Engineers
were doing a wonderful job of keeping the main supply roads in good repair.
Early each morning they could be seen unloading near our CP to begin the
job of repairing the damage of the previous night's heavy traffic. The
work day for these details often ran from as early as 4 o'clock in the
morning to late at night.

24.

The Engineer road patrols were still encountering enemy mines along the
road shoulders and hedges in our area. Three members of one of these patrols
mere injured when a mine was detonated in the C Battery area. Major PERHAM
made an inspection of battery positions to check on the maintenance of
equipment and materiel.

25.

Captain COON, on DS with V Corps as Liaison Officer between the V and VIII
Corps, visited the CP bringing the latest information on the situation
in our sector as well as that of the VIII Corps. S/Sgt Irvin H. Bernards,
Hq Btry, absent sick in hospital was dropped from assignment. CWO CARL
E. HEARN, Bn Asst S-4, was a visitor at the battalion CP and delivered
some newly received howitzer parts to the firing batteries.

26.

Tec 4 Robert J. Seitz, who has been acting mess sergeant in Hq Btry
since S/Sgt Saunders left, was promoted to grade of S/Sgt and Pfc
Donald
S. Martin, assistant to the Bn Historian and member of the Bn Personnel
Section, was promoted to the grade of Tec 4. In Battery A Privates Loyd
A. Bloodworth, Charlie M. Carter, Roy W. Cooper, Leslie
Griffis, Robert W. Hill, Philip E. Guida, Robert E.
Moorhead, Robert J. Napper, Clifford W. Rowland and Millard
J. Simard were promoted to the grade of Private First Class.

CWO LEONARD A. MASSOTH, Bn Personnel Adjutant, arrived from the rear echelon
with the money for the Class"F" Agent Officers to pay their respective
organizations. In the afternoon a call was received from 190th FA Gp Hq
to go on reconnaissance for new positions for the battalion. The battalion
commander and reconnaissance parties from the several batteries went forward
to select new positions and upon their return arrangements were made to
move the battalion early tbe following morning.